OTT Charge

On August 29, 2023, it was announced that one of the PWHL's first six franchises would be located in Ottawa. Michael Hirshfeld, former executive director of the National Hockey League Coaches' Association, was named the team's general manager, and TD Place Arena, its home venue. On September 15, Carla MacLeod, a former member of the Canadian national team and the head coach of the Czech women's national team, was named Ottawa's first head coach. Each PWHL team was permitted three signings during the free-agency period, ahead of the 2023 PWHL Draft. Ottawa signed Canadian national team players Emily Clark, Brianne Jenner, and Emerance Maschmeyer on September 5, 2023. Each signed a three-year deal lasting through to the 2025–26 season. Next, 15 players were selected in the league's September 18 draft, with Ottawa's first pick being American national team member Savannah Harmon. On October 17, it was announced that Haley Irwin and Cassea Schols would be assistant coaches and Pierre Groulx would be the goaltending coach.

The team colours and jerseys were officially revealed on November 14, 2023, as red, 'storm' grey, and white.

Ahead of the start of the inaugural 2023–24 season, Ottawa announced that Jenner would serve as team captain, with Clark and Jincy Roese serving as alternate captains. The first game in franchise history took place on January 2, 2024, when Ottawa hosted PWHL Montreal at the TD Place Arena. The game set a new attendance record for a professional women's hockey game at 8,318. Hayley Scamurra scored the first goal in franchise history to give the hosts a 1–0 lead; however, Montreal would go on to win in overtime with a 3–2 score. Ottawa secured its first win at its second game, a 5–1 win against PWHL Toronto on January 13. Its first win at home came on January 23, also against Toronto. Ottawa would go on to miss the inaugural PWHL playoffs, eliminated from contention with a 5–2 loss against Toronto in the last game of the season. However, despite missing the playoffs, Ottawa led the PWHL in attendance during its inaugural season. Ottawa's finish meant they were awarded the second overall selection in the 2024 PWHL draft.

The 2024–25 season marked a major breakthrough for the team in their second PWHL campaign. Finishing third in the regular season with a 12–2–4–12 record, they surged into the playoffs and upset the top-seeded Montréal Victoire in a dramatic semifinal series that included a four-overtime thriller. Led by rookie goaltender Gwyneth Philips, who posted a stellar .952 save percentage and was named Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP, Ottawa advanced to their first Walter Cup Final. Despite taking Game 1, the Charge fell to the Minnesota Frost in four tightly contested games that all ended in overtime. The season showcased Ottawa’s rise as a gritty, defensively strong contender with a bright future.